Basket forming and stapling machine.



"0.708.955. Patented Sept. 9, I902. N. E. BROWN.

BASKET FORMING AND STAPLING MACHINE.

(Apialication filed Mar. 4, 1902.;

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-8heet l No. 708,955. Patented Sept. 9, I902.

N. E. BROWN.

BASKET FORMING AND STAPLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 4, 1902.) (No Model.) 4 Sheats8heat 2.

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(Application filed Mar. 4, 1902.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 708,955. Patented Sept. 9, I902.

N. E. BROWN.

BASKET FORMING AND STAPLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 4, 1902.)

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(No Model.)

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UNITED "STATES PATENT OFTTCE.

NORMAN E. BROWFN, OF ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ST. JOSEPH IRON W'ORKS, OF ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

BASKET FORMING AND STAPLING MACHINE.

sPECIFIGAflION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,955, dated September 9, 1902. Application filed March 4, 1902. Serial No. 96,681. (No model.)

To Ml whom it may concern: and 7 are sectional elevations through the Be it known that I, NORMAN E. BROWN, a valve-casing on the lines 6 6 and 7 7, respeccitizen of the United States, residing at St. tively, of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a view illustrat- Joseph, in the county of Berrien and State ing a slight modification of one of the stave- 55 of Michigan, have invented anew and useful confining rings. Fig. 9 is a detail view of Basket Forming and Stapling Machine, of the hoop-guides employed for guiding the which the following is a specification. hoops to the basket. Figs. 10 and 11 are do- My invention relates to certain improvetail views of a portion of one of the thrustments in basket-making machinery, and has bearings employed. Fig. 12 is a detail view to for its principal object to construct a machine of the step-by-step feeding and locking mechby which the assembled staves or webs may anism for rotating the basket under the stabe molded and pressed into proper form at a ple-drivers.

single operation and thenretained in position Similar numerals of reference are employed while the basket-hoops are stapled. to designate corresponding parts throughout 15 A further object of the invention is to prothe several figures of the drawings. t

vide forming dies or'molds of such nature as The machine is intended principally for to provide for the successive operation of vathe construction of baskets of that class in rious parts of the mold on different portions which a number of staves are bent into form of the basket being formed'and to prevent and secured together by three hoops, two of 20 any premature movement or excessive preswhich are disposed at the top edge of the bassure which would tend to destroy the stares. ket.one on the inside and one on the out- A further object of the invention is to prosidethe remaining hoop being arranged on vide a machine which may be readily conthe outer portion of the basket about midtrolled by the operation of a single valve. way between the top and bottom. This form 25 A still further object of theinvention is to of basket is in common use, and while the so construct the mold wit-h staple mechanism machine herein described, and illustrated in as to insure the clenching of the ends of each the accompanyingdrawings, is intended prinstaple driven through the hoops. cipally for the manufacture of such baskets A still further object is to provide mechanit will be understood that various other forms o ism for securely holding the basket-st-aves in of baskets, boxes, and other receptacles may proper position during the winding and sebe manufactured by slight alteration either curing of the hoops. in the process hereinafter described or by With these and other objects in view, as suitable modification of the shape of the haswill appear when the invention is better unket-forming dies. 5 derstood from the following detailed descrip- Referring to the drawings, 15 indicates a tion, the invention consists in the novel consuitable bed or base having at one end an struction and combination of parts hereinafupright frame 16 for the reception and supter described, illustrated in the accompanyport of one of the forming dies and the staple ing drawings, and particularly. pointed out forming and driving mechanism. In the 40 in the appended claims. 7 base or forming a part thereof .is areservoil' In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation, 17, into which airis forced under any desired partially in section, of a basket forming and pressure by a pair of air-pumps 18, carried stapling machine constructed in accordance by the framework and driven through the with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view medium of a belt-wheel 19 from anysuitable 9 looking from the opposite side ofthe machine. source of power. The air-compressor may be Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a portion of of any ordinary type and may form a mathe machine, drawn to a somewhat-larger chine separate and apart from the devicescale. Fig. -l is a similar view of the oppoforming part of the present inventionand 10- site end of the machine. Fig. 5 is a transcated, together with the reservoir, at any 10:) 5o verse sectional elevation through the governsuitable distance from the basket-making ing-valve on the line 5 5 of Fig. Figs. 6 machine, or the compressor maybe employed 'port 27,leading to the outer air.

to maintain in the reservoir a supply of fluid other than air, or a liquid, such as Water or oil, may be employed as a means of operating the machine.

To the fixed bed of the machine is secured a web or standard 20, carrying or forming part of the cylinder 21, which is adapted to receive fluid under pressure from the reservoir through a conducting-pipe 22, leading to a valve-chest 23, located at one side of the cylinder. The valve-chest is circular in form and provided with a bottom seat having two inlet-ports 24 and 25, communicating with the opposite ends of the cylinder, and an exhaust- In the valvechest is a disk valve 28, having on its lower surface two grooves 29 and 30,extending each through a range of about ninety degrees, there'being a passage 31 extending through the disk and placing the groove 29 in constant communication with the com pressed air in the valve-chest. Owing to the length and relative positions of the grooves and ports, any movement sufficient to place the groove 29 opposite one or other of the cylinder-ports will place the opposite cylinder-port in communication with the exhaust, so that the air is at all times under perfect control and may be allowed to enter either end of the cylinder. For convenience in operation the disk valve is provided with a stem 32 extending out through a stuffing-box 33 and provided with a suitable operating-lever 34.

Mounted in suitable guides 35 in the opp0- site sides of the machine-bed is a reciprocatory frame 36, provided at its opposite ends with bearings 37 for the reception of a hollow rotatable shaft 38, which carries at one end a mold or die member 39. Secured to the opposite ends of the frame, parallel with the shaft 38, is a piston-rod 40, which extends through suitable stuffing-boxes in the cylinder 21 and is secured to a suitable piston 41 within said cylinder, the introduction of air to the cylinder causing a movement of the piston, the frame 36, and all its connected parts in either direction.

The contour of the mold 39 will vary in accordance with the character of the baskets being manufactured; but for the formation of bushel-basketsof the character ordinarily manufactured I employ a substantially cupshaped mold 39, fortned, preferably, of malleable iron and having two staple-clenchiug dies 43 and 44, each of which is formed of a ring of steel or other metal of sufficient strength and density to turn the points of the I staples,each ring beingprovided with a groove 45 of a width sufficient to receive the ends of the staples as the latter are driven through the hoops and staves. The ring 44 at the being bent into place.

.tact with the same.

of the outer end of the mold is concaved, as shown at 47, to permit of the inward crimping or bending of the staves at the central bottom portion of the basket, and the mold is at this point extendedinwardlyin the form of an integral ring or collar 48, which may be screwed on the threaded end of the shaft 38.

In the outer end of the hollowshaft 38 is secured a collar 49 for the support of a tube 50, in which is guided a pin 51, normally held with its outer concaved end 52 in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 by means of a compression-spring 53, the outer end of the pin extending beyond the outer line of the mold, so as to engage with the .central portion of the basket-web before the mold moves into con- This pin will yield during the operation of. the machine to an extent sufficientto permit the central portions of the webs or staves to enter the concaved portion 49 of the tnold to produce the inwardly-extending and centrally-disposed crimp of the basket and when the basket is finished will act as an ejector to remove the same automatically from the mold.

On the upright portion 16 of the frame is secured a cylinder 55 of adiameter somewhat inder 55 being in constant communication with the pressure-reservoir through a supplypipe 56. In the cylinder, the inner end of which has openings communicating with the outer air, is a piston 57, carrying a hollow piston-rod 58, one end of which is closed airtight bya plug 59, and this end of the pistonrod being guided by a stuffing-box 61 on the cylinder. The movement of the piston and rod is limited in one direction by the contact of the piston with the end of the cylinder, and in the Opposite direction its movement is governed altogether by the extent of forward movement of the basket mold or form 39. At a point outside the cylinder there is secured to-the end of the hollow piston-rod a collar 62, having an annular flange 63, which fits within the rearwardly -extendiug annular flange 64, secured to or forming part of a pressure-plate 65, which holds the bottom of the basket against the mold during the bending of the webs orstaves to form the vertical sides of said basket. The pressure-plate is held from displacement on the flange 63 by a small ring 66, secured to the rear end of the flange 64 and fitting over the rear Vertical face of the flange 63. To permit free rotative movement of the pressure-plate when turning with the mold or form during the stapling operation, a ball-bearing 67 is introduced between the adjacent faces of the collar and pressure-plate. A similar ball-bearing 67 is introduced between a collar 68 on the shaft 38 of the mold in order to pertnitfree rotative movement of the parts, these hearings being of the construction more fully illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

The hollow piston-rod 58 is in communication with the cylinder 55 and the reservoir IIS through a port or passage extending through the wall of the rod at a point to the rear of the piston 57. In the smaller cylinder formed by the piston-rod is a piston or plunger 71, the outer end of which is reduced in diameter and extends out through a guiding-opening formed at the center of the pressure-plate 65, a collar 72 being placed at the extreme end of the piston or plunger 71 and forming one member of a ball-race, the opposite portion of which is formed bya disk 73, mounted on a stem 74,, projecting into a recess in the end of the plunger, and suitable antifrictionballs being introduced between the collar and the disk in order to permit the independent rotation of the latter. In the outer fade of the disk 73 is formed a centrally-disposed recess 76, in alinement with the recess 52 of the spring-pressed pin 51, these two recesses being adapted forthe reception ofthe opposite ends of the nail or pin by which the webs or staves are secured together to form a substantially circular blank prior to being placed in the machine and bent into basket form.

In order to bend the staves over the basket mold or form 39, I employ a pair of stationary rings 80 81, arranged one to the rear of each of a pair of staple-drivers 80 81, carried and driven by the mechanism hereinafter described and so arranged that when the basket-mold is moved inwardly to the limit of the stroke one of the staple-drivers will be in vertical alinement with one of the staple-clenching rings on the basket-mold and the other with the second staple-clenching ring on such mold. The basket-forming rings 80 and 81 are therefore so arranged and disposed as to hold the staves closely to the mold at points immediately in advance of the plane of the respective drivers and staple-clenching rings. diameter than the ring 81, and the latter is of sufficient diameter to permit the free passage of the pressure-plate therethrough when the latter is forced to the basket-forming position by the mold-actuating piston. Each ring has its inner basket-engaging surface convexed in cross-section in order not to bind too firmly on the staves, and each forms part of or is secured to one element 83 of a ball-race, the opposite element of which is formed by a stationary ring on or secured to the frame, suitable antifriction-balls being placed in the ball-race in order to permit free rotative movement of the rings as the basket and mold are turned. The basket-forming rings overcome a serious objection to machines of this-type in that they dispense with the employment of a female die of such size as to come into intimate contact with a very considerable area of the staves being bent into shape, resulting in injury to the basket and increasing frictional resistance when the male and female dies are separated to release a finished basket. Further than this, there has heretofore, so far as I am aware, been no provision for binding the staves to the periph- The ring 80 is slightly larger inv cry of the mold at points between the two stapling dies or drivers, the staves spreading at varying angles, in accordance with their resiliency, and their outer edges remaining at some distance from the inner edge hoop placed on the staple-clenching ring prior to the movement of the mold or form. By providing the two revoluble forming-rings I am enabled to hold the staves firmly to the mold or form at points close to the staple-driving mechanism and am thus enabled to obtain better results and more perfect baskets. In some cases I may employ a single formingring of the character illustrated in Fig. 8 and may dispense with the auxiliary inner ring for engagement with the lower part of the basket.

In the operation of the machine as thus far described, the part-s being in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, and 4 and the cylinder 55 and the piston-rod cylinder 58 being in communication with the reservoir, a bundle of staves, assembled to form a web, is placed in proper position between the mold 39 and the pressure-plate 65. The valve 28 is then turned to place the inlet-port 24 of cylinder 21 in communication with the pressure-supply, causing a movement of the pieton, the frame 36, the shaft 38, and mold 39 in the direction of the pressure-plate. center portion of the Web will first be caught between the center of the pin 51 and the disk 76 at the end of the plunger 71, the spring of the pin 51 yielding under the greater pressure exerted by the compressed air in the piston-rod cylinder 58 and resulting in the forcing of the central portions of the staves into the concaved end of the mold 39, thereby forming the inwardly-extending crimp Thev common to baskets of this type. The superior and the web will then come into contact with the face of the pressure-plate 65. The web thus held is still carried in the direction of the pressnre plate and comes into contact successively with the forming-rings and 81, being gradually bent over the mold or form 39 and the staves confined in place at points adjacent to the hoops. The area of the cylinder 21 is greater than the area of the cylinder 55, which carries the pressure-plate, and as both are in communication with the same source of power and under the same pressure the greater area of the cylinder 21 Will enable the actuating fluid to travel the mold 39 rearwardly to the forming position and immedimay operate to force staples through the hoops and staves at proper intervals. The intermittent rotative movement is imparted to the shaft 38 by means of a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, the ratchet member being in the form of two ratchet-wheels 85 and 86, each secured rigidly to the shaft and each having the same number of teeth-twenty-four in the present instance-the teeth of one ratchetwheel facing in a direction opposite to the teeth of the other wheel. The two wheels maybe formed integral, if desired, and provided with 'a flanged collar adapted to a suitable recess formed on one of the heads of the cylinders 21, the wheels being thus held from longitudinal movement, but being free to retate with the shaft 38, to which they are secured by a suitable spline or feather.

At one side of the machine and extending longitudinally thereof is a shaft 87, having an eccentric 88, on which is placed an eccentric-strap 88. To the strap are secured two pawls 89 and 90, the pawl 90 engaging with the ratchet-wheel 86 and being somewhat longer than the pawl 89, which is adapted to engage with the ratchet-wheel 85. In the operation of this portion of the mechanism each rotation of the shaft 87 will result in an upward movement of both pawls, the longer pawl resting at the beginning of the upward movement immediately in contact with the radial face of the tooth against which it is to operate, while the opposite pawl is at a distance from the radial face of the tooth with which it is to engage and interlock equal to the length of two teeth of. the ratchetwheel. The upward movement is to the extent of a single tooth, and as both pawls receive the same degree of movement the pawl 90 will move the tooth with which it is engaged through a space equal to one tooth, resulting in a corresponding movement on the opposite side of the ratchet-wheel 85. As the ratchet-wheel 85 is moved to the extent of one tooth and the locking-pawl is also moved to the extent of one tooth in the opposite di rection, it follows that at the end of the stroke of the pawl89 said pawl will come into locking engagement with a tooth at the proper time, andwill thus prevent any excessive rotative movement of the ratchet-wheels and the mold-carrying shaft to which they are connected. This movement takes place during the upward movement of the stapledrivers, and on the downward movement of the staple -drivers the basket-mold is held from movement in either direction by the engagement of the pawls of the oppositely-facing ratchet-wheels.

The ballbearings are thrust bearings which receive the strain resulting from the engagement of the mold-sections during the that the center of each is at a different radial distance from the center of the ring than is the center of any of the other openings. This may be accomplished by arranging the openings in a spiral line or by dividing the surface area of the ring into a series of squares, the center of the central square being eccentric to the center of the ring, as indicated in Figs. 10 and 11. In this manner the wearingface of the ring is divided into as many ballcontact surfaces, each comprising a complete circle, as there are balls in the ring 93. In the present case some sixty-three or sixtyfour balls are shown, which travel in indeendent but concentric circular lines, and as t e wearing-face is comparatively narrow it will be seen that the entire area of the rings is in contact with the balls, considerably increasing the life of the rings and the bearings.

The rings 93 act merely as a cage for retaining the balls in proper relative position and rotates freely with said balls when the device is in operation. In a machine of this type there is considerable pressure employed in forming the staves, and this form of bearing has been found useful in taking up the thrust and decreasing the frictional resistance in the turning of the mold and basket under the stapling-drivers.

The shaft 87, which has been previously re ferred to, extends along one side of the frame of the machine, being supported by suitable bearings carried by the frame, and at its outer end being adapted to a bearing in a standard 100. On the shaft is a loose belt-wheel 101, which is driven from any suitable source of power and is clutched to the shaft by a suitable clutch 102 under the control of the operator, the movable clutching member being connected to one arm of a pedal-lever 103, fulcrumed to brackets on the standard and having a pedal-plate 104 in convenient position for the operator. The'pedal is normally held in elevated position with the clutch disengaged by a tension-spring 105, the downward movement of said pedal-lever against the stress of the spring causing the engagement of the clutch and the operation of the various parts of the machinewhich are connected to the shaft 87.

At one side of the upper portion of the upright frame 16 are swiveled bearings 107 for the reception of a horizontal rock-shaft 108,

to which are secured hoop-guides 109 110,

each guide being in the form of an elongated tapering box, through which a hoop-strip may be fed to the basket. At the outer end of the shaft 108 is secured a lever 111, carrying an adjustable weight 112, which normally will hold the hoop-guides with their inner ends depressed and adjacent to the basket. The lever 111 is connected at a point intermediate of its length to a rod 113, the lower end of which rests on the pedal-lever 103, being held in contact with said lever by the weight 112, and the'downward movement of the pedallever against the stress of the spring causing a corresponding movement of the rod 113 and the adjustment of the hoop-guides to operative position.

The staple-driver or staple forming and driving mechanism employed in connection with this machine may be of any desired character, and only a small number of the more important members of the stapling mechanism have been illustrated in order that the operation of the machine may be understood.

On the top of the upright portion of the main frame is secured a staple-machine frame 115, having bearings for the support of a horizontally-disposed shaft 116, to the outer end of which is secured a crank-disk 116, having a pin 117, by which it may be connected to an eccentric-strap 118, surrounding an eccentric 119 on the shaft 87, the relative sizes and positions of the parts being such that the rotation of the shaft 87 will impart a rocking movement to the shaft 116. On the inner end of the shaft 116 is a pinion 120, which enwith the hoop-guides 109 and 110, one being in front of each hoop-guide and acting simul taneously to drive staples through the hoops and staves as the mold and basket are turned, the hoops being gradually wound around the basket and two staples being driven, one in each of the hoops, at the end of each intermittent movement. a

As the stapling-driving mechanism may be of any desired form, further explanation or illustration of its construction is deemed unnecessary.

While ihe construction herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, represents the preferred form of the device, it is obvious that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure maybe made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof my invention. a 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a mold or form, of a pressureplate, pressure-actuated devices tending'to force the mold and plate toward each other, one of such devices exerting a force greater than that exerted by the other, and a stationary forming-ring through which the mold passes in the formation of a basket.

2. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a pair of cooperative basketclamping devices one of which is shaped to form amold for the basket, of fluid-pressure cylinders connected one to each of such devices, one of such cylinders being larger in area than the other, and a stationary forming-ring through which said devices are forced by the larger cylinder in the process of forming a basket.

3. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a pair of basket-clamping means, one of which is shaped to form a mold for the basket, of a stationary forming ring, and means for forcing the basket-clamps partially through said ring.

4. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a basket-clamp and a mold for cooperation therewith, of a stationary formingring, through which the clamp and mold are forced, and means for actuating said clamp and mold.

5. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a basket-clamp and a mold, of means for actuating the same, a clampingring adapted to engage with that portion of the basket between the hoops, and means independent of both the clamp and moldfor the support of said ring.

6. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with mechanism for driving a double row of hoop-securing staples, of a basket- ,clamp, a mold, means for actuating the same,

a clam ping-ring adapted to engage with and hold the staves to the mold at a point between the two lines of staples, and means independent of both' the clamp and mold for supporting said ring. A

7. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with mechanism for driving a double row of hoop-securing staples, of a basketmold, a pressure-plate cooperating therewith, and a clamping-ring arranged in a vertical plane between the staple'drivers, and means for forcing the pressure plate and mold through said ring. i

8. A basket-forming machine, comprising a plurality of laterally-fixed rotatable forming-rings, a mold, a pressure-plate adapted to engage the bottom of the basket-blank, and means for forcing the mold and pressure-plat through said rings.

9. A basket-forming machine, comprising a plurality of laterally-fixed forming-rings, a mold, a pressure-plate adapted to clamp the blank against the bottomof the mold, and means for forcing the mold and the pressureplate through said rings.

10. A basket-forming machine, comprising a pressure-plate, means for exerting a constant pressure thereon, a laterally-fixed basket-forming ring, a basket-mold adapted to,

pass through said ring, and pressure-actuated devices exerting a force superior to that acting on the pressure-plate and serving to force the basket-blank and the pressure-plate through said ring.

11. In a basket-formingmachine, a pair of basketengaging elements, a fixed basketforming ring for cooperation therewith,a pressure-cylinder connected to each element and one of such cylinders having a greater area IIO than the other, a pressure-supply with which the smaller cylinder is in constant communication, and a valve-controlled passage leading from said pressure-supply to the larger cylinder.

12. In a basket-forming machine, a pair of concentrically-disposed basket-engaging devices, concentrically-disposed pressure-cylinders, a pressure-supply with which both cylinders are in constant communication, a basket-mold adapted to cooperate successively with said basket-engaging devices, a pressurecylinder for actuating said basket-mold, said pressure-cylinder being of an area greater than the combined area of the said two concentric cylinders, and a valve-controlled passage leading from said pressure-supply to the mold-actuating cylinder.

13. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a basket-mold having a concaved bottom portion, of a yielding ejectorpin carried by said mold and normally projecting beyond the outer line of the mold, a crimp-forming plunger between which and the pin the basket-blank is primarily engaged, a yielding pressure-plate adapted to engage with the basket-blank after the formation of the crimp, and a stationary forming-ring through which both the pressure-plate and mold are forced.

14. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a basket-mold having a concaved bottom portion, of a yielding ejectorpin carried by said mold and normally projecting beyond the outer line of the mold, a crimp-forming plunger between which and the pin the basket-blank is primarily engaged, means for exerting pressure on the plunger to effect the formation of a central crimp in the blank, a pressure-plate having its engaging surface normally disposed to the rear of the crimp-forming plunger, a laterally-fixed rotatable forming-ring, and means for forcing the mold successively into contact with the crimp-forming and pressure plate.-

15. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a basket-mold having a concaved bottom portion, of a yielding ejectorpin carried by said mold and normally projecting beyond the outer line of the mold, a

crimp-forming plunger between which and the pin the basket-blank is primarily engaged, a yielding pressure-plate adapted to engage with the basket-blank after the formation of the crimp, a pair of spaced forming-rings through which the pressure-plate and mold are forced with the basket-blank.

16. In a basket-forming machine, the combination with a reciprocatory basket -mold having a concaved bottom portion, of a hasket-forming ring, a pressure-plate, a cylinder, at pressure-supply with which said cylinder is in constant communication, a piston disposed in the cylinder, a hollow piston-rod secured to the piston and to the pressure-plate, said hollow piston-rod forming an auxiliary cylinder in communication with the main cylinder, a plunger disposed within the auxiliary cylinder, a crimp-former carried by said plunger at a point in advance of the pressu re-plate, and means for reciprocating the basket-mold to effect the successive engagement of the blank with the crimp-former, the pressureplate and the forming-ring.

17. In a device of the class specified, two concentrically-disposed cylinders, each having a piston and piston-rod, the piston-rod of the larger cylinder serving as the smaller cylinder, basket-engaging devices carried by both of the piston-rods, and an auxiliary mold or form adapted to coact with said devices.

18. In a basket-forming machine, a frame, a stationary cylinder carried thereby, a piston in said cylinder having a piston-rod connected to the piston and extending through the opposite cylinder-heads, a carriage guided on the frame and connected rigidly to the opposite endsof said piston-rod, a shaft mounted in bearings in said carriage, a basket-mold carried by the shaft, and means for cooperating with the mold to effect the formation of a basket.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

NORMAN E. BROWN.

Witnesses:

J. H. J ocHUM, Jr., FRANK S. APPLElVfAN. 

